Primark recalls thousands of flip flops due to fears over cancer-causing chemical

The fashion chain offers a refund on thousands of flip flops and suspends all new production due to dangerous levels of chrysene.

Primark says an investigation has been launched

Primark is recalling thousands of men's flip flops after discovering they contain dangerous levels of a cancer-causing chemical.

The discount clothes chain is recalling three colours from it's men's Cedar Wood State flip flop range and offering a full refund to anyone who bought them.

A Primark spokesman confirmed the flip flops contain chrysene, which is commonly used in dark-coloured dyes.

The recalled footwear - colour options black, blue and khaki - were on sale in Primark shops from 4 January to 2 June 2017.

The company's website says the flip flops do not "meet the Primark usual high standards for chemical compliance" and have "levels of a restricted substance in excess of the 1.0 mg/kg requirement".

Three colours of the men's range of flip flops are affected by the recall

A "thorough investigation" has now been launched by the shop, which confirmed it had suspended all new orders.

A Primark spokesman told Sky News: "We take the safety of our customers, and the quality of our products, very seriously, which is why we have chosen to recall three men's flip flops from our Cedar Wood State range.

"All new orders with this factory have been suspended while we carry out a thorough investigation. A full refund is being offered to all customers."

Primark was unable to confirm the location of the factory in which the flip flops were made.

Earlier this year, Primark was forced to recall pairs of novelty cat leggings after it was discovered that small pink bows on the knees posed a potential choking hazard.

In February, a range of t-shirts with a design inspired by the US series The Walking Dead caused widespread controversy after some customers branded them "racist" and "offensive".

The black t-shirts pictured a bloody baseball bat wrapped with barbed wire, with the phrase "Eeny meeny miny moe".

A Primark spokesman said at the time: "The t-shirt in question is licensed merchandise for the US television series, The Walking Dead, and the quote and image are taken directly from the show.

"Any offence caused by its design was wholly unintentional and Primark sincerely apologises for this."